Sally Pearson deserves some space to beat injuries ahead of Rio Olympics says Steve Hooker

STEVE Hooker has called realistic expectations on injured Olympic champion Sally Pearson, urging everyone to “give her space” in the lead-up to the Rio Games.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 07: Sally Pearson of Australia celebrates after winning the gold medal in the Women's 100m Hurdles Final on Day 11 of the London 2012 Olympic Games at Olympic Stadium on August 7, 2012 in London, England. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

STEVE Hooker has called for calm over the expectations on injured Olympic champion Sally Pearson, urging everyone to “give her space” in the lead-up to the Rio Games.

Pearson, who has recovered from a broken wrist that forced her out last year, is battling a troublesome achilles problem which is set to keep her sidelined until just a few weeks out from the start of the Olympics in August.

Hooker, the 2008 Olympic pole vault gold medallist, says the defending 100m hurdles champion doesn’t need constant speculation about her fitness over the coming months.

“She’s just about the best track and field athlete we’ve ever had,” he said.

“She’s done enough and now she’s having a hard year this year and I think it’s up to everyone to take the expectations away from her and give her space and the opportunity to get as prepared as she can.

“She’s a freak and she’s a freakish competitor.

“If she’s given that space and given a waiver from the expectations that people are going to want to put on her, then maybe she can do something special again.

“But it’s going to be hard.

“One of the difficult things in that position is constantly updating people about your condition and your progress.

“It’s so unproductive from her point of view — and she lives it constantly 24/7.”

Hooker, who was speaking at the team launch for the Simplot Games, where he will act as mentor to a group of star Australian high school athletes competing in Idaho, also moved to temper expectations of medals at Rio.

With doubts over Pearson, walker Jared Tallent and long-jumper Fabrice Lapierre will be the main hopes with form or fitness queries over proven competitors such as javelin star Kim Mickle, discus thrower Dani Samuels and long jumper Mitchell Watt.

“They’re in the category of ‘it’s all got to go right’,” Hooker said. “They’re not standouts at this point.”

Originally published as Sally Pearson deserves some space to beat injuries ahead of Rio Olympics says Steve Hooker